U.S. Rep. Boozman schedules I-49 tour; FCRA approves 2009 budget
by January 22, 2009 5:58 pm 53 views
Transportation in the form of interstate funding and trolley buses proved the most interesting subjects at the Thursday (Jan. 22) meeting of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority.
INTERSTATE 49
FCRA Director Ivy Owen reported that U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, and newly appointed Arkansas Highway Commissioner Dick Trammel will on Feb. 9 tour the prepared route of Interstate 49 through the Fort Chaffee area. Owen said several county judges and other dignitaries from the area are expected to join the tour.
“This is Boozman’s initiative. That is encouraging that we are getting this visit,” Owen explained. “Maybe there is some part of the stimulus money we can grab.”
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department submitted Dec. 10 a $1.1 billion project list for consideration as Congress prepares to push an infrastructure stimulus plan. Of that, $116 million is for Fort Smith regional projects, including $43.92 million for construction of I-49 through Fort Chaffee.
TROLLEY OPTION
Owen also reported that the rubber-tire trolley (bus that looks like a trolley car) operated by the city of Fort Smith and often used to transport guests around the city is being phased out of service. Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Advertising & Promotion Commission, suggested Owen acquire the bus — which has about 55,000 miles — and then lease back to the commission.
Owen and Ken Savage, director of the Fort Smith Transit Department, are working with the federal Department of Transportation to allow the city to transfer ownership of the trolley bus to the FCRA. The FCRA is checking insurance, maintenance and storage costs and issues and will report back to the FCRA board in February.
THE BUDGET
The FCRA board also approved a 2009 budget that projects income of $1.675 million and expenses of $1.405 million. In 2008, the FCRA posted income of $1.003 million and expenses of $1.085 million.
“Where we got off (on income in 2008) was with the fire,” explained FCRA board member Bob Bradford.
A January 2008 fire consuming about 100 acres destroyed several buildings that were generating lease income for the FCRA.
The 2009 budget includes $400,000 for salaries, an increase of 36.4% over the 2008 budget. Owen said the salary line item includes flexibility to add a person to the staff in 2009.